Clay County

MIGRATION & IMMIGRATION

An essential value of the American lifestyle is the freedom of mobility. The Census asks respondents to identify if they lived in the same residence 5 years prior to the survey. If not, they are asked the location of their previous residence. Between 1995 and 2000, only 54.13 percent of Americans remained in the same house. This rate has been fairly steady: between 1985 and 1990, 53.29 percent remained in the same house.

Regionally, the rates differ greatly. Nevada’s population was the most mobile. About 62.6 percent of Nevada residents in 2000 lived in a different house in 1995. Of the Nevadans living in different houses, 40.2 percent were new arrivals to the state. On the other hand, Pennsylvania’s population was the most permanent. Only 36.5 percent of Pennsylvanians in 2000 lived in a different house in 1995. Of these people, only 15.8 percent were new arrivals to Pennsylvania.

Migration, 2000: Residence 5 Years Prior to Census

Residence in 1995

Number

Percent

Same house

84,539

49.50%

Different house

86,238

50.50%

Same county

40,503

23.72%

Different county

43,979

25.75%

Same state

24,001

14.05%

Different State

19,978

11.70%

Elsewhere in 1995*

1,756

1.03%

Total Population Age 5+

170,777

100.00%

Migration, 1990: Residence 5 Years Prior to Census

Residence in 1985

Number

Percent

Same house

70,125

49.39%

Different house

71,861

50.61%

Same county

33,878

23.86%

Different county

37,186

26.19%

Same state

19,995

14.08%

Different State

17,191

12.11%

Elsewhere in 1985*

797

0.56%

Total Population Age 5+

141,986

100.00%

* "Elsewhere" includes those living in U.S. Island Areas, in foreign countries, and at sea.